Dad Said....

Very quiet.
Since last saturdays failings, Notts County 0-0 v Southampton and the treble consisting of a win, a loss and a draw, ilovestevepalmer has kept a pretty low profile during the following week.
Stoke were put up as a fancy at a decent price in their FA Cup tie v Cardiff City but they decided the extra half hour was just what they needed, so waited till extra time to put 2 past the Bluebirds.
The lack of picks midweek is not just a bit of a sulk either, as hopefully many others are noticing, January is as much of a stretch as December with all the catching up to do financially, so powder has to be spread elsewhere as opposed to where I'd like to chuck it.
Football wise, Saturday is proving difficult and the picks are not carrying a huge amount of confidence.

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v Newcastle Utd 3p.m k.o 6/5 general

I'd love to back this pick with a few stats and opinions, but aside from a recent league cup tie Spurs don't have a great record at St. James'.
As far as opinions go, Harry Redknapp has to agree, 3 points is whats required from a trip to Newcastle if he truly does believe his side are capable of breaking the duopoly of Man U and Chelsea and comparing the two possible starting XI's, 11/10 should be a great price, makes me think some odds compilers are Geordies (not like Newcastle fans to get caught up in unrealistic expectations?)

SOCCER SATURDAY DOUBLE HUDDERSFIELD + SOUTHAMPTON 3p.m k.o general 2/1.

2 strong challengers for the League 1 title this season and both should keep good runs going this afternoon.

OVER 2.5 GOAL TREBLE PORTSMOUTH V LEEDS/CARDIFF V WATFORD/CHARLTON V PLYMOUTH

Not a usual bet for us but a better option than sticking someone in our win bets that we don't have much faith in and also the over goals stats in these games show up strongly. Minimum stakes.

Look out for other sports picks posted up on Twitter later this weekend @rudgey76, there'll be NFL, European footy and maybe a bit of tennis and rugby union.
Some good horseracing at Ascot today and after our horse people put up a knocking good bet with Binocular last Saturday, I'll be checking in again with @KeejayOV @wayward_lad @theuphillbattle and @narrowthefield to see what they@ve come up with, but the final word will go to Fast Freddie, when asked last night if he fancied putting anything up as a selection today all he said was, "just follow Geraghty tomorrow son, just follow Geraghty," could be prophetic or pathetic.

Good luck with your bets and COME ON!!